Category - blasphemy

As schoolteacher Gillian Gibbons' lawyers prepare an appeal against a 15-day jail sentence imposed in Sudan over the naming of a teddy bear, Muslims in Britain have joined in condemning the decision and calling for clemency.

The Christian think tank Ekklesia has renewed its call for the repeal of the UK's archaic blasphemy law, in the wake of an attempt by an individual to seek judicial review in the High Court to bring private prosecution against the BBC for broadcasting 'Jerry Springer - The Opera'.

Jesus forgave those who spoke against him, says Johan Maurer. But the churches find it difficult to follow in his footsteps, and instead seek restitution when they are offended. We need a more Christian way of responding.

Both churches and human rights groups are calling for the scrapping of Pakistan's blasphemy laws following the handing down of a death sentence and other sanctions against Christians in the Muslim-majority country.